Rapid COVID-19 tests are now being given at the Gilmer County Health Department.
Krystal Sumner, the local health department’s nurse manager, said the BinaxNOW rapid tests are given to patients who have coronavirus symptoms. They are a self-collected nasal swab, the same as the standard test, she added.
“We’re seeing results in 15 minutes for these patients, so that is very convenient for them in letting them know quickly if they test positive,” said Sumner during a Gilmer County Board of Health telemeeting last week.
Patients without symptoms are given the standard test, Sumner confirmed. Those results are usually available within 24 hours.
The county’s public health COVID-19 testing site, previously located at the ETC Pavilion, is now the county health department located at 28 Southside Church Street. Testing is done in the parking lot prior to regular business hours, noted Sumner.
“Patients being tested for COVID remain in their cars. They do not come in the building,” she said.
Testing is done Monday-Thursday, from 8-9 a.m. only. An appointment must be made in advance by calling 1-888-881-1474.
The ETC Pavilion testing site operated April 20-Nov. 23 and, during that time, almost 7,000 COVID tests were conducted, noted Sumner during last week’s Board of Health meeting.
She also gave an update on 2020 flu vaccination efforts, which included 30 offsite flu shot clinics conducted this past fall.
“Our annual flu drive-by was a success this year. We nearly doubled the number of patients we saw last year (with) 140 flu vaccines (given). We also participated in our first school-based flu shot clinic where we partnered with Mountain View Elementary School and vaccinated 42 children. The purpose of that clinic is to provide children who don’t have a medical home, (as well as) children whose parents may not be able to make it to the health department or their doctor to get them vaccinated, with the vaccine,” Sumner noted.
The health department hopes to broaden the school flu shot program next year.
“We are really proud of that program. Next year, we hope to expand it to maybe one or two more elementary schools. This is something that, in the long run, we hope to have in every school,” Sumner said.
Via a statewide initiative, the health department received a number of flu shots that can be given for free to persons unable to afford the vaccine. Almost all the alloted doses have already been given, but, as of last week, a few were still available here, Sumner noted.
“We not only offered it at our clinics, but we also provided free flu vaccines to people at (different places in the county including) the Tower Road trailer park, Mulberry Street Apartments, Heritage Apartments, Faith, Hope and Charity Thrift Store and the Gilmer County Detention Center,” she confirmed.